Vehicle-signal.



J. A. MQVIGKAR. VEHICLE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15, 1908.

935,855; Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. A. MQVIGKAR.

VEHICLE SIGNAL.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 15, 1908.

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J. A. MQVIGKAR.

VEHICLE SIGNAL.-

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15, 1.9.08.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909; 4 HEETS-SHBET 3.

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A 7701 NE Y J; A. MGVIOKAR.

VEHICLE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15, 1908.

Patented 00t.5,1909.

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UNITED STATES JOHN A. McVICKAR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

VEHICLE-SIGNAL.

Ta all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. MoVIoKAR, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Signals, of which the following is av specification.

My improvements relate to visual signalin}; devices for automobiles and other 'vehides. the object being to provide simple and e'flicient means whereby the drii'er of ing the same, or the driver of any other kind of a carriage or vehicle, may display at the rear of the same a signal to vehicles coming behind, which will give a warning that the vehicle in front intends to slacken speed, or stop, or make a turn to the right or to the left, or otherwise regulate or change its movements, which change if unknown to the vehicle behind might in consequence of a too sudden stoppage or deflection of course result in collision between the vehicle in fr'ont and the one behind.

I It often happens Where swiftly moving vehicles like automobiles and slow moving vehicles like trucks occupy the same roadway, that they are thrown into contact with each other on account of one of them stop ping more suddenly than it is possible for the other to do; and a similar accident may occur between any two vehicles, oneof which is in front of the other, if the one in front makes it movements in utter disregard of the one behind.

My invention aims primarily to enable a more swiftly moving vehicle to present Warning signals at the rear, so that the vehicle or vehicles behind can change its or their course, or stop, or otherwise regulate Nowadays it is commoii for the driver of the automobile when he intends to slacken speed, or stop, to raise his hand as an indication to vehicles behind of what he is going to do, but this method is often ineffective. By providing signaling mechanisinon the rear of the car, absolutely under the control of the driver at all times, said mechanism being so arranged and operated that it cannot fail to call the. attention ofthe drivers of other vehicles, a sure and effective .way is rovided of notifying the other vehicles to e on their guard and to act accordingly.

While the invention is primarily adapted Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed January 15, 1908.

Patented Oct. 5. 1909.

Serial No. 410,886.

for automobiles-it may, as suggested, he used with any kind of a vehicle.

The. invention therefore consists essentially in a signal of the class described, and in various details and peculiarities thereof, 'as to com'l'nnation, arrangement and applicatiou, substantially as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating my invention: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automobile provided with my improved signaling device. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the signaling mechanism. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the controlling lever. Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 0 c of Fig. 15. Fig. 6 is a cross section on the line g (1 of Fig. 15. Fig. 7 is a cross section on the line ffof Fig. 1?). Fig.8 is a detail view of the catch device for holding one of the covers in its raised position. Fig. 9 is a cross section on the line a a of Fig. 15. Fig. 10' is a cross section. on the line I; 7/ of Fig. 15. Fig. 11 is a cross smtion on the line a of Fig. 15. Fig. 12 is a cross section on the line (I (Z of Fig. 15. Fig. 13 is a detail elevation of the gearing and accompanying parts shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 14 is a detail elevation of the gearing and accompanying parts shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 15 is an inside elevation of the box containing the operating mechanism, andshows the latter in detail, said box being broken at certain points. Fig. 16 is a top plan view showing the details of the mechanism represented in Fi 15.

bimilar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout all the different figures of the drawing.

1 denotes anautomobile or horseless carriage of any convenient and suitable type, that shown in the drawing being simply given by way of illustration as one example or specimen of vehicle,because my invention is equally well adapted for use with any kind of automobile, or, in fact, with any of the various kinds or styles of cars, vehicles, carriages, etc., and hence I am by no means restricted to the example illustrated as regards typeor motive power. In the forward end of the car 1 is the customary steering device, as, for instance, a Wheel 2 on the steering column 3; I arrange in convcnie'i'it proximity to the steering column alever. 4, (see Fig. 4), which works over the face of a semicirculardial-fi on which are times the word Left; shutter 19 being.

graduations or other marks to indicate the proper positions which the lever 4-. must assume for ln-inging about. the proper results. Lever -l is rigidly fastened to the upper end of a rod (3 which operates, through beveled gears T another rod 8 that connects by means of a universal joint 0 with a horizontal rod 10, running to the rear end of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. Rod 10 transmits motion through the bevel gearing 11 to an upright rod 12, which in turn transmils motion through the bevel gears 13 and ll to the shaft 15, (see Figs. elfllj, 15 and 16) which may be termed the main shaft of the signaling mechanism, inasmuch as it is arranged horizontally across the back of the car in connection with the frame oili' thc" signaling mechanism, and serves to actuate the various sets: of gears which operate i11- depcndcntly the ditl'erent signs, shutters, etc., makilig up the visual indicators which constitute a part of the signal. These various rods (3, S, 10 and 12 are suitably supported in appropriate bearings, so that they may turn easily and accomplish the result aimed at.

The main frame of the signaling mechanism is an oblong, horizontal box 16, the exact shape of which unimportant andmay vary widely, its chief function being to contain the working parts of the signal, especially the gears, visual signs, etc., and enable the same to be effectively operated. This frame- 16 is supported in a horizontal position on the rear of the car or vehicle 1 at a proper height from the ground, say, about half way the height of the vehicle, as indicated in Fig. 2, it being only important that it should be so arranger-l that it will be distinctly visible to those in the rear of the automobile. Hence it should not be too low, but is preferably well above the wheels and lower gearing', so that its appearance may be sufficiently prominent to attract attention.

The box 16, as shown in cross section in Figs. 9, -10, 11 and '12, has a glass front- 17. This is preferably ground glass or some other translucent material, and the front is divided into several sections, say three, on which are painted, printed, engraved, or otherwise marked, certain Words or symbols. An example of these is shown in Fi 3, where the glass front 17 carries near the middlethe Word Caution. At the left of this the word Left and at the right the word. Right All these words are shown in heavy prominent capitals, so that they may be distinctly seen by any one glancing at the rear of the car when they are exposed to sight. Covering these words severally is a series of shutters 18, 19 and 20; shutter 18 being pivotally hung on the front of the box 16 and adapted to swing down and cover-at similarly pivoted on the front of the box 16 and adapted to swing down and cover at times the word Caution; and shutter 20 being similarly pivoted on the front of the box to and adapted to swing down and cover the word .llight. The mode of pivoting or hinging these shutters on" the front of the box in may vary widely, and I do not wish to be restricted to any particularway, but commonly lugs or projections on the front of the box 16 will serve as bearings for rods or journals 21 belonging to shutter 16. for journals 7 belonging to shutter 19, and for journals belonging to shutter 20. said lugs or projections being indicated at 24 in Fig. 15.

The caution signal is intended to be displayed whenever it is desired to indicate to vehicles in the rear that the automobile is about to stop, or to diminish its speed, or

otherwise to change the way in which it may have been moving. Then, if the driver decides that he will swerve to the left, he will display the left signal; or, if to the right, hewill show the right signal. These words are severally exposed by the individual lifting of the shutters, which latter is accomplished through the medium of the leverage running to the front of the car, and also through various trains of gearing which are soon to be described. Of course, the Word laution is only one of many words which may be employed having a warning signification, and other words can be substituted in lieu thereof. When the machine is running normally, and there is no desire to make any announcement with respect to a change of action, all the signs will be covered by their respective shutters, 18, 19 and- 20. \Vithin the box behind the signs are arranged a number of incandescent lamps, or

other lighting means 25, which serve to illuminate the signs atnight and cause them to produce the same signaling effect as they are able to do in the day time without the lights. i

The shutters 18, 19 and 20 areactuated by means of the main signal shaft15, and four sets of gearing interposed between it and said shutters, as I shall now describe.- Shaft 15 may, by means of the lever 4 and the intcrmediatd connections, be. turned in one di' rection or in the other. hen it is turned in one direction, it will actuate the caution V shutter, and also if desired the left shutter; when it, is turned in the other direction. it will actuate the caution shutter, and if desired the right shutter. The parts are so arranged. therefore. that by turning it for a certain distance in' either direction, the

caution shutter will be opened, and if the turning is'continued either the left shutter or the right shutter will be opened according to the direction the rotation of the shaft 15 is made to take. Thus, it commonly happens that it is desired merely to expose the caution signal without uncovering either of the others, as would be the case if it were simply desired to warn those to the rear of the automobile. to be on their guard against a change of speed, etc., and hence it is found very desirable to arrange the mechanism to allow of the opening of the middle shutter without interfering with either of the others. The middle shutter will always be opened prior to the opening of either of the others, and will be held open always while one ofthe others continues open. ()r, in other word, neither the "left shutter nor the "right shutter will be opened until after the caution shutter has first been opened.

Referring to Fig. 4, when the controlling lever 4 is in the central position 0, all-three shutters will he closed; when it is reversed to either. of the intermediate positions marked (3 the caution signal will be exposed; and when it is placed in the extreme positions marked It and ll. the signals right or left will be exposed respectively. Of course the dial or sector 5 may have any preferred graduations or marklugs.

Referring to Figs. 9, 1t), 11 and 12, and also to Figs. 15 and 16, it will he noticed that Fig. 9 is a cross section on the line (a re of Fig. 15, and illustrates the gearing where by the main shaft 1?) acts on the right shutter 20. Fig. 10 is a cross section on the line I) 7) of Fig. 15,'and illustrates thegearing by means of which the shaft 15 acts upon the caution shutter it) to lift the same previous to the opening of the right shutter. Fig. 11 is a cross section on the line e c of Fig. 15, and illustrates the gearing between the shaft 15 and the caution -shutter 19 at the other end of said shutter opposite where the gearing shown in Fig.

10 is located, and by means of this gearing the caution shutter is lifted previous to the opening of the left shutter-'18. Fig. 12 is a cross section on the line (I (Z of Fig. 15, and illustrates the gearing by means of which the shaft 15 is caused to. act upon the left shutter 18 for the purpose of lifting the same. Thus it will be seen that the gear set in Fig. 9 and that in Fig. 10 come into play when the shaft 15 is turned in one direction and have the function of lifting the caution shutter and afterward the right shutter while. the gear sets, shown in l gs. 11 and 19., have to do with the camion shutter and the left shutter,

' when the shaft 15 is turned in the o posite direction, the result of which is to lift the caution shutter, and if the turning of the shaft 15 is continued to liftthe left shutter also.

On the 'shaft 15 are loosely mounted four gear wheels, onebelonging to each of the gear sets above referred to.- Said wheels are designated 26, 27, 2.8 and 29. Gear wheel 26 engages and actuates pinion 30,

which is on one of the journal pins orshafts '21 of left shutter 18. so that. the revolution of gear wheel 26 in the direction shown by-the arrow in Fig. 12 will rotate the pinion 30 in a. reversedirection; that is to say. in the direction shown by the arrow near said pinion 30, the result of which will he. to lift the shutter 18 upward. oil the signal left into the elevated position shown in Fig. 3. ()n the shaft 15, alongside of the gear wheel 26, is a rigid arm 31, the same being secured to the shaft in any suitable way, as, for instance, by its having a sleeve which surrounds the. shaft, and is locked thereto by means of a set screw 33. p ()n the face of the gear wheel 26 is a pin 32-} projecting therefrom into position to he struck by the shaft arm 31. 34 is pivoted at is) to the face of the gear wheel 26, said latch having a lug 36 which is adapted at certain times to lie in the path of the arm 31, and said latch having also a'pin 2-37 which works on an irregular t'ack 38. \Vhen the shaft 15 and the arm 31 move in a direction opposite to the arrow,

.said arm exerts no etfect upon the gear set:

but when the shaft 15 moves it in the opposite direction so that the arm 31 strikes against the lateral pin 33, the gear wheel 26 will be revolved in the direction shown by the arrow, and the pinion 3t) correspondingly rotated, and the shutter 18 lifted. The arm 31 may be moved one-eighth for example) of a revolution of the shaft 15 before it strikes the pin 33, and as said eighth of a revolution is sutlicient to lift the caution shutter 19, as will be presently explained, there will be no action imparted by the arm 31 to the gear wheels 26 and 30 by striking pin until after the caution shutter 19 has first been lifted. Further, when the arm 31 strikes the pin 33 it will clear the lug 36 of the latch 31-, because the pin 37 of said latch will be in the socketed end of the track o8 which is farthest from the center of the shaft 15; ?but if the gear 26 be rotated, carrying with .it the latch 34, the pin 37 of said latch will soon ride upon a portion of the track 38, which concentric with the shaft .15, or situated in an are substantially concentric with'the gear wheel 26, the effect of which to throw the lug 36 nearer to the center of the gear wheel 26, so that it will be in the path of the returning arm 31, and when thelatter is reversed in its movement and caused to travel away from the pin 33, it will in consequence of contact with the lug 36 reverse the rotation of the gear wheel 26, thereby closing the shutter 18, and this action of the arm 31. upon the latch lug 36 will continue long enough to make the closure ofthe hatter-18 complete, at which time the iatdh aving been again drawn away from- :the arm 31., in consequence of the pin 37 dropping into the lower end of the track 38, the arm 31 will be able to clear the lug 36. The gear wheel 27 is loose on the shaft 15. at a point near the left-hand end of the mution shutter 19, and it engages with a pinion 39 on the journal of said shutter, so that when the gear wheel 27 is revolved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 11,'it will rotate the pinion 39 in the reverse direction and lift the shutter 19. On the shaft 15 alongside of the gear wheel 27 are two arms 40 and 41 forming parts of a single cast: ing having a sleeve which surrounds the shaft 15 and is securely fastened thereto by means of a set screw 42. Pivoted to the face of the gear wheel 27 are two latch devices 43, 43, each having a lug .44 and each having a pin 45 engaging a track 46, the two tracks -16 being similar to the track 38 inconjunction with which we have seen that the gear latch 34c'operates.

When the shaft 15 rotates in a direction the reverse of the arrow, (shown in Fig. 11 alongside of gear wheel' 27), it will produce no effect upon the gear wheel 27, be-

:ause at that time one of the latches 43 will have its lug 44 clear of the adjacentarm 11, while the other latch 43, though in engagement with the arm 10, will not be acted upon thereby until therevolution of the shaft 17 moves the arm 40 in the direction of'the arrow and thus actuates the latch 13 and the gear wheel to which it is pivoted. 'But if the shaft 15 is rotated in the direction of the arrow it. will. be obvious that the gear wheel 27 will be simultaneously rotated, and such rotation of the gear wheel QT'will continue until the upper latch 43, by throwing its pin 45 into the socket of the adjacent track 46, causes the lug 4a to be thrown clear of the end of the arm 40. At the time that this ,latter condition occurs, however, the opposite latch 43 will have worked along the adjacent'track 46 into such a position that the lug 14 will be thrown across the path of the end of the arm 41, so that when the shaft 15 revolves in the reverse direction to that in which it formerly moved it will act against this lower latch 43 and rotate the gear wheel 27 reverselyyto its arrow, thereby again closing the shutter 19..

Observing now Figs. 11 and 12 at the same time, and remembering that the gear set in Fig. 11 is applied to the -aution shutter 19 at one end thereof, and that the gear in Fig 12 is applied to the left shutter 18, it will be seer that the movement of the shaft 15 in the 31 in Fig. 12 has en aged the n'o'ectin i P i. I:

pin no of the gear 26. Thus a rotation of the shaft 15 in one direction, due to av shifting of thelover 1 toward the left. say, will, if the lever lis stopped at the point C, which will be at one-eighthof a revolution of the shaft 15. merely open the -aution shutter and will not open the left shutter 18. lf that is to be opened, the movement of the lever 14 must be continued further to the left, so that the wheel 26 can be revolved. If, aftcr opening the shutter 19, the lever 4 be moved back to its central position, the shutter 19 will be closed down over the word caution for the arm 41 in Fig. 11 will engage the lower latch 4-3 and bring the gear wheel 27 around to its first position. In case at thebegiuuing the shaft 15 instead of being revolved in the direction of the large arrows in' Figs. 11 and 12 be rotated in a reverse direction, no effect will beproduced through either of these two sets of gears upon the shutters 1S and 19. Such a re verse revolution of the shaft 15 will through another set of gears, however, open the caution shutter. as I shall. now specify, and under certain conditions both the caution and the right shutters. The other set of gears. through whose intervention, the caution shutter is opened when the shaft 15 revolves in a reverse direction, is indicated in Fig. 10. The arrangement is similar to that in Fig. 11. although the parts are reversely placed. In this case the gear set is arranged between the main shaft 15 and the right-hand end of the shutter 19. The gear wheel 23. which loose on the shaft 15. engages the pinion 47 on a short shaft 18 suitably supported in proper bearings. ()n the same shaft 48, which carries the pin ion -11. is another pinion 50 which engages a pinion 49 on the journal 99 of the shutter 19. The interposition of the shaft 48 and the intermediate pinions 4;? and 50 is necessary in order to cause a proper rotation of the shutter pinion 49. for the purpose of liftbig the shutter 19. it being remembered that 11 and 12 for effective action.

Pivoted lo the face ofthe gear wheel 28 are two latches .31 similar to the above-described latches 3T and 43. Said latches 51 are provided with lugs 52, adapted at times to lie in the path of the arms 53 and 54 which are rigidly attached to and rotate with the shaft The latches 51 are furthermore provided with pins 55 which work in tracks 56, said tracks 56 being similar in arrangement and function to the above-described tracks 38 and 16. When the shaft 15. carrying the arms 53 and 54, rotates in the direction of the large arrow in Fig. 10, the arm in engagement with the lug 52 on the upper latch 51 will move the same way shown in Fig. 3. In consequence of the peculiar arrangement of the latches 51 and their tracks 56, it comes about that when the upper latch 51 is released from the arm 54,

the lower latch 51 will have been moved to such a position that its lug 52 will be in the path of the arm 53, so that when the arm 53 moves'in a reverse direction it will carry with it the lower latch 51 and th gear wheel 28 in a direction the reverse of the large arrow to its first position. If, however, after 0 ening the shutter 19 the movement of the s aft 15 should be continued to a certain extent in the same direction, the effect will be to open the right shutter 20 through the interaction of the gear set shown in Figs.- 9 and 13. In case at the beginning the shaft 15 should be moved in a direction opposite to the large arrow, it would not have any effect on the gear set shown in Fig. 10, nor that shown in Fig. '9, for the effect in that case would ,be upon the gear sets illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, as I have already fully explained.

Referring now to Fig. 9, which represents the gear set om the line a a of Fig. 15, and is theset of gears connecting the shaft 15 with the journal or shaft 23 of the shutter 20, it will be seen that the gear wheel 29 engages a pinion 57 on a short shaft 58 suitably supported in the main frame, which shaft also carries another pinion 59 that engages a pinion (50 on the journal or shaft 23 of the shutter 20. Hence, when thegear wheel 29 revolves in the direction shown by the arrow, the pinion 60 will revolve in the direction. shown by its arrow, which will result in lifting the shutter 20 and exposing the word Right Pivoted to the side of the. gear wheel 29 is a latch (51. the pivotbeing'denoted by the reference numeral (32. Latch 61 hasa lug (33 thereon. of-the gear 29 projects horizontally a pin ($4- adapted to be engaged by an arm 5 provided "with an integral sleeve which surrounds the main shaft 15 and is clamped thereto by means of a set screw 6 Thelatch (i1 also has a pin 67 that operates in conjunctionwith a track 68. The arrhngement of the latch 61 is the reverse of the latch 34 in Fig. 12. Ohviously the arm (35 may travel for a certain distance toward the pin ti l without moving the gear 29 or exerting any efiect on the shutter 2.0, for during such movement the operation is taking place through the gearing ()n the side Y shown in Fig. 10. whereby the caution shutter -19 is lifted. After the arm of; strikes the pin 64. however, the gear wheel 2!) will be rotated in the direction shown by the arrow, the latch ()1 at this time, in 'o1isequei1cc of the action of the pin (37 along the track (39 not affording any obstacle to the. movement of said arm 65. \Vhen, however, the revolution of the gear wheel 29 is continued far enough to cause the pin 67 of the iatch (S1 to travel on the concentric portion of the track 68, the lug (13 will be thrown in beyond the end of the arm (35, so that when the latter begins a return movement it will strike against the said lug. as and carry the gear wheel 29 back into the position shown in Fig.

9. Thusit will be seen that the operation of the gear set of Fig. 9 is substantially the same as that of the gear set in Fig. 12, ex-

.cept that it is in the reverse direction, and

the intermediate pinion 57 is interposed in order to allow the proper revolution to he imparted to the shutter journal or shaft which will lift the shutter.

eferring to the feature of the latches which are pivoted to the gears 2G. 27, 2S and 2S), namely the latch 34 which is pivoted to the gear wheel 26, the latches 13, 43, which are pivoted to the gear wheel 27. the latches 51, 51, which are pivoted to the gear wheel 28, and the. latch (31 which is pivoted to the gear wheel 29, it 'will be observed that they are all pivoted loosely to the side of the re spcctive gear wheels near their coggcd periphery, and hence are all pendent from their pivotal points on the gear wheels. But

this pendency is not entirely free and does not permitthe latches to assume each its position at all times through the action of gravity alone, for each latch-is provided with a projecting horizontal pin already mentioned, (viz: the pins designated 37. 55, 45 and (37), which works on the adjoining track, said tracks being designated 33, -16. 56. and (38. These tracks consist of curved parts which are preferably concentric with the respective gear wheels and with the main shaft 15, but at one end of each track there is a bend furnishing a socket into which the horizontal pin drops during certain points of the rotation ofthe respective gear wheels, and when these sockets receive said pins the,

its

shaft 15 simply to withdraw the latches so that they will not be in position-to be caught by the rotating arms. all as hereinal'iove fully explained.

If'desired, the caution shutter 15) may be retained for the time being in its lifted position by means of some suitable catch device. An example of such device is indicated in Fig. 8 where the shutter is shown as provided .with a finger 75 adapted to engage a spring socket 76. said socket being on the main frame 16. It may be found in practice that such a device can be handily used, though I am not restricted thereto. lVhen it is used. the shutter 1!) will be kept lifted until the disengaged from each other.

In order to supply the necessary electric current for the lamps 25. I place on the main at certain intervals contact arms (39, 70 and 71, shown in l igsj. ti and 7, and also in Fig. 15. The arm (5.) contacts with the plate 712 when the shaft 15 is rotated in such a direction that the gear set indicated in Fig. 9 acts upon the, shutter 2tl-for the purpose of lifting the same. so that when said shutter 20 lifted the lamps behind the right signal may illuminate said signal. Of course, the contact between tlie,arm (it) and the plate 72 closesthe electric circuit and lights the lamps 2:1 behind that portion ofthe glass front. l7 on which the word Right. appears. The plate 72' is connected to a storage battery or othensource of electricity situated in some part of-the car or vehicle. "he arm 71. seen in ig (3, is adapted to contact with the plate' 73 wlieir the shaft 15 moves in a direction opposite to that in which it movesin Fig. 5, and when such contact is established between the arm 71 and the plate 73. the? circuit will be I closed and the lamps will be lighted behind that portion of the translncent front 17 on which the word Lgft F is inscribed. Hence the arm 71 contacts with the plate 73 when the shaft- 15 moves in the proper direction to actuate the gearing shown in the. sectional View of Fig. 12 on the line (Z (I of Fig. 15, whereby the shutter-=18 is lifted for the purpose of exposing the left signal, and thus simultaneously with the lifting ofthe shutter 18 the lamps are lighted behind ,the left signal and thelatter illuminated so that; it can be easily seen at night. The arm 70, seen in Fig. 7, contacts either with the plate 7401' the plate 77, accordingly as the shaft 15 'is rotated in one direction or in the other. lVhen it is rotated in one direction, the gearing illustrated in --Fig. 10 is brought into action for the purpose of lifting the caution shutter; andlwhen it isdictuated in the otherdirection, the gearing illustrated in Fig. 11 is brought into action for the purpose of operating the caution shutter; butwhichever may be the-direction in which finger and spring socket are p the embodiment as far as may and in the. other case with'the plast- (Z. the

resultof either of which contacts willbe to close the electric circuit. and light behind that translucent portion of the glass front 17 on which the word Caution inscribed. so that in either case simultaneously with the liftingof the shutter 18) the lamps are lighted behind the word caution so that the same inay show clearly and brightly in the dark,

Many changes in the precise combination and arrangementof the various details may be made withoutdeparting from my invention, and I reserve the libertyofmodifying be found necessary and practicable in order to accomplish the best. results, provided I do not go beyond the scope of the claims.

The invention is much broader than any of the niechanical details herein illustrated.

and it is obvious that the working of the several signals from the front of the car or vehicle may be accomplished through the intervention of divers kinds of mechanism.

varying widely from the details herein set. fo'rth in so far as such variation may be permissible under the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent,

1. In a signal for vehicles, the combination of a caution signal, a signal separate from the caution signal for indicating direction, separate mechanisms for displaying the said signals respectively and connecting means operatively joining the said mechanisms. these parts being so arranged that the caution signal must be displayed before the direction signal can be displayed, and means controlled and operated at the will of the occupant of the vehicle for operating the said connecting means. 2. In a signal for vehicles, the combination of a caution signal, a signal fseparate from the caution signal for indicating direction. means for controlling the display of the said signals, and means for operating the said controlling means, consisting of a single line of power transmitting devices arranged to be operated by the driver of the vehicle and when moved through acertain angle to cause the display of the caution signal and when moved through a greater angle the lamps to cause the direction-indieating signal to be displayed. 1

3. In a signal for vehicles, the combina-' tion of a signal consisting of a plurality of symbols, one signifying caution and the others signifying respectively a moven'ient in one direction and a movement in the other direction, individual devices for controlling the exposure of the said symbols, and means for operating the exposure-controlling "devices arranged to display the caution symbol whenever either one of the others is exposed.

' exposing said signals. and means for operating said shutters. arranged to display the symbol indicating caution whenever either one of the other symbols is exposed.

In a signal for vehicles. the combinat on of a caution signal. a signal indicating movement in one direction. a signal indicating movement in another direction. indiidual devices for controlling the display of the said signals. and means for operating said display-controlling devices arranged when moved a certain distance to display the signal indicating caution and when moved" a greater distance to display one of the other signals without disturbing the caution signal.

(3. in a signal for vehicles. the combination of a caution signal. a signal indicating movement in one direction. a signal indicating movement in another direction. individual devices for controlling the display of the said signals. and means for operating the said display-controlling devices comprising a single line of power transmitting connections arranged to he operatetfl by. the driver of the vehicle. and having a controlling memher arranged when moved a certain distance in either direction from a midpositionto cause the display of the caution signal and when moved a farther distance to causea display ofa direction-indicating signal.

7. In a signal for vehicles. the combination with a plurality of s 'mbols. of shutters adapted to conceal or expose. the same, and means for operating the shutters consisting essentially of a main shaft. two sets of gears for applying the motion of the shaft to one of the shutters and a set of gears for applying the motion of the shaft to each of the other shutters. all arranged so that when the shaft. is rotated in one direction one or more of the shutters may be opened according to the extent to which the shaft is rotated and when rotated in the opposite direction one or more of the shutters may be opened according to the extent to which the shaft is rotated in that direction, substantially as described.

8. In a signal for vehicles, the combination with a plurality of symbols, one. of which signifies caution gene-rally, another at one side of the latter signifies a movement in one 'directiomand another at another side signifies a movement in another directiomof shutters adapted to conceal or expose said symbols, and means for ope ating the shutters. said means consisting esstauiall ot' a main shaft. suitable sets of gearing lH'tWt't'Yj it and the respective shutters. and means for actuating the main shaft from the front of the vehicle.

9.111 a signal for vehicles. the combination with a plurality of symbols. one signifying generally caution. and two others. one at each side of the latter signifying rc spectively a movement in different directions, of a shutter for each symbol. and means for operating the shutters consisting essentially of mechanism whose operation is always to first open the middle shutter which belongs to the symbol signifying caution generally and which if desired may be caused to open one of the other shutters.

10. In a signal for vehicles. the combination with a plurality of symbols. one signitying caution generally and the others signifying a movement to the left or right. of individual shutters for the symbols. and means for operating the shutters including a main shaft and sets of gearing between it, and the shutters respectively, all arranged and operating so that the cautionary symbol must invariably be first dis-- played when the shaft. is turned while a continuation of the operation of the mechanism after first displaying the cautionary signal will result in displaying the right or the left signal accordingly as the main shaft is being turned in one direction or the other.

11. In a signal for vehicles. the combination with a plurality of symbols. one signifying caution and two others signifying respectively a movement to the right or to the. left, of shutters adapted to conceal or expose the symbols. and means for operating the shutters consisting essentially of a main shaft, means for rotating it in one direction or the other, gears loose on the shaft, sets of intermediate gears between the-loose gears and the respective shutters. and means whereby the rotation of the shaft in either direction is properly applied to the loose gears.

12. In a signal for vehicles, the combination with a plurality of symbols, of shutters adapted to conceal or exposethe same. and means for operating the shutters consisting essentially of amain shaft. a series of loose gears thereon one'for each shutter, sets of intermediate gearing between said loose gears and the shutters, and.1neans whereby the movement of the shaft is applied to one of the loose gears when it is rotated in one direction andto another of the loose gears when it is rotated in the opposite direction. said means consisting essentially of pivoted latch devices. and means whereby the movement of the shaft is imparted to a second set of the loose gears ifthe movement in either directio -1s'cont1nued long enough.

13. II a signal for vehicles, the combination with aplurality of symbols, of slultters adapted to conceal or-expose the sam and means for operating the shutters consisting essentially of a mam shatl, a ser es ot loose gears thereon, one for each shutter. interme-. .thate gearma to allow of the opening and closing of the shuttersindividually as the result of the rotation of the main shaft.

14. In a signal for vehicles, the combination'with a plurality of symbols, of shutters adapted to conceal or expose the same; and means for lifting or closing the shutters, said means consisting essentially of a main shaft, a series of gears loose thereon, intermediate gearing between said loose gears and theshutters, there being two sets of gearing for the middle shutter-which carries a cantionary symbol, and one set of'gearing for each of the other shutters, all combined and arranged so that the shutter: covering the cautionary symbol will be always actuated first whichever way the main shaft be turned, and one of the other shutters will be actuated later if desired if the shaft be turnet l-to the point that causes a display o'l the coversymbol.

15. In a signal for vehicles. the combination with a plurality of symbols, of shutters adapted to conceal or expose the same, and means for operating the shutters consisting essentially of a main shaft, gears for applying the motion of the main shaft to the shutters tor the purpose of opening'and closing the same, electric connections whereby the symbols may be illuminated silmlltaneouslv with the opening of the respective shutters, all combined aml arranged substantially as described.

16. In a signal for vehicles, the combination of a symbol indicating caution, a symbol indicating direction. independent means for eontrt'illing the display of thesaid symbols, and means for operating the said independent controlling means arral'igred to display the caution symbol whenever the symbol that indicates direction is displayed.

Signed at Xew York city, this th day of December, 1907.

JOIIX A. MeVICKAlt. \Vitnesses ltloimnn Coxnox, l3. St'ilnol-rnnn. 

